sand crusted eyes and auburn tint hair honeyeaters chirping outside the window “you’re not the same bloke you used to be” I feel a drenched wetsuit graze my face “you just going to stare at me? get up!” she opens all the living room windows as I stretch out upon the couch the hardwood floors are lukewarm I can smell the saltwater from here I almost forgot what the horizon looked like “grab your board, I want to show you a spot” she said as she rushed out the front door I could hear the pajero start from the kitchen I scampered down the stairs and tossed my board on the upper racks as we drove, we traced all the familiar roads filled with the sweetest memories the music faded in and out with small static in between- it felt almost feverish we rolled to a stop on a questionable trail she could see the confusion in my eyes but I knew I could trust her we began the hike of what felt like forever upon surfacing from the trees I saw what I only thought I’d see in my dreams so captivating- I stopped and stared the sand felt like cloth and the water was flat “all the legends start here” she began running to the water and I trailed close behind and for a split second we were 10 years old again racing each other to the shore she always won anyways- we paddled far beyond the outside the sun began to break the horizon we sat and watched as it reflected on the water I brushed my hand upon the surface It was like touching a painting I felt weightless I closed my eyes I could feel the warmth upon my skin
“I guess you’re a benny now” “I guess I am”
there was a bit of silence that past-
“are you alright?” “yeah, it’s just good to be home…”